It is estimated that about one out of every five students in a Grade 8 classroom today will not finish secondary school with their classmates. This figure does not include a significant number of students who possess their secondary school diploma with a feeling that they just got by.

For this reason, it's important to realize that the post-secondary system is extremely different than the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system that many people associate with learning. To emphasize this point, imagine re-entering Kindergarten or any of the grades from one to twelve under the following guidelines:

1. We only want you to study subjects or pursue training that interests you. If you don't like French, History, Physics or some other subject ignore it. Simply focus your attention on a specific post-secondary program that best suits your talents and interests.

2. Don't worry about the idea of coming to class all day. Sure, there are post-secondary programs in career, vocational and technical areas that will require you to do this, but if you would rather take part-time evening courses and work full-time post-secondary programs can accommodate your needs. For students choosing academic courses you are required to attend three to four hours of classes for each course. You do not go to "school" all day. If you don't like early morning classes you can structure your course schedule to avoid them.

3. Even better, don't worry about attending some face-to-face courses at all. For those who have difficulty with making it to class, why not take a distance or online learning course. There are a growing number of these courses that allow you to fit in the demands of your work and personal life so that learning occurs when it works for you and/or from the convenience of your desired learning location (e.g.-office, home).

4. If you are behind in a subject area such as Math or English don't worry. You are not expected to attend classes where subject matter that you didn't quite grasp in the past is critical. You don't have to suffer the humiliation or boredom of trying to keep up with your class mates. Instead, you can take upgrading, bridging or introductory courses to  make sure you have a solid foundation of knowledge before you continue on. These are not "filler" courses.  Most often these course count towards a certificate or diploma. Post-secondary classes have students of all ages - you won't look like you are behind.

5. Let's pay you for coming to school. This is exactly what Apprenticeship Training and Co-operative Education programs enable students to do. The idea that a pay cheque is something that you can only receive after you complete your schooling is a dead issue. If you sign up for appropriate program offerings there is no reason that you can't combine earning and learning.

6. Let's make sure your learning issues are addressed in advance. If you have any areas that are holding you back with your learning - let's deal with them up front. These may be areas that you find frustrating that have caused you to doubt your abilities to succeed. There are lots of students with similar issues and you are not alone. Many students struggle with aspects of learning relating to listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, test taking or performing mathematical calculations. Post-secondary institutions have staffed learning centres designed to diagnose these types of problems, and develop a game plan for helping you succeed with your studies.

If the approach to learning described above is one that works for you it's worth taking a look at what your local post-secondary institution has to offer. Each of the public post-secondary institutions has learning resource specialists, educational advisors and counsellors whose jobs exist to help students succeed.

The best way to make the most of this help is simply to be yourself and openly communicate the issues you believe you have with succeeding in post-secondary studies. Often the biggest hurdle with post-secondary learning is getting over the fear of rejection often experienced in the elementary or secondary school setting, as well as the gigantic barriers we create for ourselves in our own minds.

There is a place for everyone in BC's post-secondary system.

You are Welcome!

Tagged In: Adult Learners , Parents , Planning , Success Strategies , Transition , Youth